Andrew Johnson Bank Tourney: Day 1 Observations (Part 1)
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The Andrew Johnson Bank Tournament is completely loaded this year! We are here to give you our observations of the action. Brooklyn Bush HEIGHT 5'7" POS SF CLASS 2024 Brooklyn Bush School: Knox Webb We she you Ms. Bush! In…
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Continue ReadingThe Andrew Johnson Bank Tournament is completely loaded this year! We are here to give you our observations of the action.
Brooklyn Bush
Brooklyn Bush
We she you Ms. Bush! In a huge upset, and overcoming a double-digit first quarter lead, Bush led Knox-Webb’s 2nd half comeback. She looked ultra confident in looking to score the basketball, finishing with 14 points, and 9 in the second half. Bush has been playing wonderful basketball of late, and this Webb team seems primed for a 2nd half run. This was a HUGE win over Bearden.
In her 1st round upset over Bearden, Green was limited to 9 points, but I felt like she was still impacting winning in other statistical areas. She’s wasn’t forcing the issue in regards to scoring, and instead relied on and trusted her teammates. In this case, her teammates answered the bell and came up with big buckets all night. Again, this is why I enjoy watching Green play so much. She only cares about winning, and even though, she could go for 15 a night, she’s far more concerned with chasing stats than wins.
In their first round matchup vs Morristown-West, Askins was just unstoppable. In the first quarter alone, she scored a quick 10 points on 5 of 5 shooting (all from the midrange). She played with great IQ, understanding how to find the soft spots to get to her mid range. Really skilled post that is very comfortable facing the rim. I was really impressed by her game. They even put the ball in her hands and ran an ISO ball screen for her at the end of the quarter in which she drew a foul and hit both free throws. Finished with 12 points in the first quarter, and 14 points in the first half.
Akira Lacy
Akira Lacy
Lacy is a blur! She’s so effective in the Jackson Southside system where she’s allowed to use her athleticism to create havoc in the press, or push in transition. In the half court, she’s simply impossible to stay in front of, and is almost assuredely going to draw help. Has a nice float game, or pass game, once she gets into the paint.
Kimora Curry
Kimora Curry
Curry was a fantastic glue kid for JS in their first round matchup vs Morristown West. As a team that likes to play incredibly fast, Curry is really good at making the correct decisions while playing fast. The ball never seemed to stick in her hands long, and she was always making quicks choices to pass it, drive it, or shoot it. Like seemingly all of the Jackson Southside defenders, she plays incredibly hard and is an important part of their press.
Mitchel didn’t pop statistically, but hoop-heads can see what the hype is about. She’s long, athletic, and so deadly attacking the rim. They liked to put her on the elbows vs Morristown West, and let her catch, turn and make a play. For a freshman like Mitchel to carve out a large role on a 3A state championship team is a big deal. I’ll go ahead and say it–I ranked her way too low!
Weddington came out ultra aggressive vs Jaskson Southside. Even though her squad was at an athletic (and likely skill disadvantage), Weddington was not going to going to let her squard roll over easily. She continued to get run-outs vs the Jackson press, and created lots of high percentage shots that kept MW in the basketball game, and only down 24-29 at the half. While she only had 5 first half points, she created a ton! Loved her game!
Kalyssa Dinkins
Kalyssa Dinkins
Dinkins did a fantastic job handling the pressure defense from Jackson Southside. She’d didn’t seem to get rattled, make the correct decisions, and simply kept her team in the game offensively all night long by being ultra-aggressive vs the JS defense….seeking to create layups instead of just survive. I was really impressed with her poise, game managment, IQ, and decision making–especially for a ’26.
Aubree Messer
Aubree Messer
I was ultra impressed with her Messer’s abilities as a passer from the high post. MW tried playing a lot of high-low vs the JS defense in their first round match up, with Messer playing mainly in the high post. They used her high level passing, vision, and playing making to attack from the middle of the floor. Messer was active on the glass and as a screener as well. Very solid player with lots of upside.
Jhaniya Mitchel
Jhaniya Mitchel
Mitchell is a ’26 with incredible upside!! She had a quiet 1st half, but went off in the second half, scoring 10 points in a variety of way. She can score inside or out, with either hand. She’s a really gifted young player, and forms a really nice duo with Weddington.